Did you hear about this wild claim from a local hotel owner?
Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach.
## They didn't know foreign workers were there
Okay, so I saw this story about hotel owners ordered to pay over $100,000 in owed wages to foreign workers. Their defence? They apparently "didn't know" these workers were even employed at their hotel. You read that right. In a province like Manitoba, where we are actively seeking skilled labour to fill gaps, this just doesn't sit right. Steinbach alone has seen incredible growth from our immigrant communities, people who are building lives here and contributing so much. To hear an employer claim they didn't know who was working for them, especially with the strict immigration and labour laws we have, it's just baffling. It makes you wonder how much oversight was happening, or not happening, at that business.
### What This Means for Steinbach
This story, even if it's about a Winnipeg-based company, resonates here in Steinbach. We're a city that thrives on growth, and a huge part of that is welcoming new Canadians.
* **Protecting Workers:** This highlights the need for robust protections for all workers, especially those who might be vulnerable or new to the Canadian system. Steinbach Credit Union, Loewen Windows, and Barkman Concrete—our biggest employers—know the value of every single person who clocks in. * **Reputation Matters:** As Steinbach continues to attract businesses and families along the Highway 12 corridor, we need to ensure our business community upholds the highest standards. We're not just some small town; we're a city of 22,000 with 480 Chamber members. We're setting an example. * **Transparency is Key:** For any business, knowing your workforce is fundamental. This kind of oversight (or lack thereof) raises questions about management practices that we hope aren't happening here in the Automobile City.
It's a reminder that as we grow and welcome more people to Steinbach, upholding strong labour practices and being transparent employers isn't just good business—it's essential for our community's integrity and continued prosperity. We’ve built this city on hard work and honest dealings.
That's the buzz from Steinbach this morning. You can catch the whole team breaking down stories like this every weekday morning at mornings.live.